Lately it seems the topic of what to wear on the airplane has come up a lot in conversation. Especially with my beloved (and obviously flawless) mother. John Tinseth says “not as good as it was. Better than it will be” The first part of his statement, I would reckon is correct regarding how men dress. But everyday I hope that he is wrong about the latter. For the way men dress for travel in particular here in the States is downright embarrassing. Case in point: may parents were flying out to California a few weeks ago and my father encountered a rather unfortunate soul. Said unfortunate soul was wearing jean shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt (akin to the photo below). The man was brought to my parents attention not only by his sartorial blunders but also his poor conduct. For when he was putting his goods in the overhead compartment his jacket kept hitting my father in the head. Luckily my father was able to keep his cool.
Anyway, given this, I felt it prudent to broach the subject of what to wear on the airplane here on FYGblog. I have thought up a few basic pointers, but the list is by no means comprehensive. Enjoy liberally.
1. Be respectful of fellow passengers, in both your conduct and dress. The first thing I do when I sit next to someone is introduce myself. Regardless of who or what they are.
2. Do not wear sweatpants, they are the mark of the lazy and unsophisticated. For girls Juicy pants and the like are in this category as well.
3. Girls can wear Lululemons, as long as they are not coming from the gym. The reason being is that Lululemons are Gods gift to mankind, you all know what I mean.
4. Do not wear sleeveless shirts. No one wants to see or smell your armpits.
5. You cannot overdress for air travel. A collared shirt is good but there is nothing wrong with wearing a suit or blazer.
6. Men should not wear open toed shoes or sandals.
7. It is oft wise to dress in layers, as the temperature on planes seems to fluctuate 10-15 degrees during travel.
8. Men should avoid jean shorts like the plague. Not just for air travel but for life in general.
9. Dress for where you are going, not where you are coming from. At least that’s what I always like to do. You never know when a bag will get lost so it’s good to have at least one set of wearable clothes for the new destination.
10. As a general rule of thumb, dress as if you were going to meet your future in-laws for the first time.
Feel free sound off with your thoughts, advice and anecdotes on what to wear on the airplane below!
Cheers,
JLJ
Images from Airplane, Jean Shorts.
this article could have simply said, “use common sense, don’t look trashy” and have spared the elitist tone.
no substance.
Really this article is so wrong, as the other comment says, be respectful, don’t be a snob. Air travel today is like commuting to work. So, if your mother is like mine, who doesn’t understand that and I continually educate her as I get on a plane in jeans and a t-shirt.
It would appear that JBJ doesn’t fly as much as me (to date for the year 148 flights).
I agree that any sweats, including LLemon should be out, since it is always the people who should wear them that do.
Rudy and Mark,
Points taken, thank you. However, the article would not be necessary if people understood that they should not dress in a trashy manner and use common sense.
JLJ
Justin, you are indeed a gentleman — the authors of your first two comments, not so much. Air travel, because of the attendant security among other inconveniences, is not like commuting to work. It has become terribly unpleasant though and slobs in jeans and t-shirts don’t help. It is precisely the presence of those slobs that make this post relevant.
The Man,
Thank you for the support. I concur. For now, all we can do is keep our side of the street clean, if you know what I mean…
JLJ
I must admit I come out in support of JLJ. Most times when I do air travel I wear business attire and feel comfortable doing so.Admitidely this is short haul but for long haul going business class I have worn a suit and felt overdressed but I do think that leisure suits and resort wear is probably too over the top .Dare I suggest that jeans ( slim fit only) with a collared shirt and fine wool sweater is probably the best way to go . Dark navy jacket which you hand to the flight attendant on boarding definitely a good look.
So…my standard travel outfit of jorts and a tank top is out. What’s next – I’m not allowed to bring a cooler and make my own deli sandwich?
Reflecting on the comments regarding the similarities between air travel and commuting to work. This is precisely why one is required to uphold standards of dress etiquette. I do not, nor wish to, travel to work amongst people who neglect self embellishment for lack of a better word. Suppose you were to encounter the CEO of your company, perhaps the in-laws as JLJ proposes, however unlikely the event.
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JLJ,
I like the article, and I am not sure where the one poster gets the elitist tone from, but everyone is allowed an opinion. I find it revolting to be forced to share space with unkempt (and often un-hygenic) people. Men and women alike should dress and care for themselves appropriately while flying, grocery shopping, walking down the street, pretty much everywhere. This is what separates us from the rest of the mammals on earth, so have a little pride. You may not give a damn what you look like, but we have to look at you.
Keep it up JLJ,
Dan
Daniel,
Well said. Thank you for the kind words.
-JLJ
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